Vanessa Finds a Way to Say No

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“Um, I dunno,” Vanessa says, hesitating. She wonders if Mariah is drunk already, since her eyes are wobbly and so are her legs. She keeps teetering and grabbing Vanessa’s shoulder.

“Are you turnt?” Vanessa whispers into her ear.

“Not nearly!” Mariah laughs. Damian and Carlos are standing in the street, looking like they’re waiting on someone. Vanessa decides she doesn’t like the way they look. Why aren’t they with girls their own age?  

“Listen, Mariah,” she says. “I don’t want to get messed up.” She’s remembering her earlier thoughts about how drinking is stupid. Mariah is living proof!

“Get over it,” Mariah says, disgusted. “You’re boring.”

Vanessa feels a knot in her stomach, because she’s always been afraid of this—that Mariah will find her boring.

But she also knows that there’s nothing wrong with caring about your friend. It’s what real friends do. 

“Mariah, I’m serious. Let’s walk home.”

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